Readily adjustable arch support for boat canopy



May 1,2, 1970 l.1. A. CIANFLONE RFADILY` ADJUSTABLE ARCH SUPPORT FOR BOAT CANOPY Filed March 2, 196e 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HTTOPNEYS May 12, 1-970 J. A. clANFLoNE READILY ADJUSTABLE ARCH SUPPORT FOR BOAT CANOPY Filed March 2. 196e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jse/o @tmf/one H TTUPNEYS United States Patent O M 3,510,998 READILY ADJUSTABLE ARCH SUPPORT FOR BOAT CANOPY Joseph A. Canfone, Carbondale, Pa., assignor to Gentex Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 2, 1966, Ser. No. 531,205

Int. Cl. B63b 17/02 U.S. Cl. 52-86 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable framework for supporting a canopy above the gunwale of a boat in which stanchions mounted respectively on the port and starboard sides of the boat extend to a fixed distance over the gunwale. A crosspiece having a bend along the length thereof, such as a curved arch, is slidably and adjustably received in clamps which are pivoted to the tops of the stanchions, thus to permit the same assembly to be used on boats having different beam widths and to permit the assembly to be used at different locations along the length of the same boat. Alternatively, the structure might comprise curved telescoped arch sections adapted to be clamped to each other and having ends pivotally supported on the tops of the stanchions.

My invention relates to a frame for supporting a boat canopy and more particularly to a simple, economical, easily erected arch frame which is readily adjusted in width to accommodate lbases of dilerent widths without changing the span of the arch.

It will readily be appreciated that a protective canopy is important to the well-being of passengers at sea in an open lifeboat for an extended period of time. Certain boat canopies known in the prior art are supported by frames erected at various regions in the boat such as the bow, stern and midship regions, for example. Such a canopy is described in the copending application of Leonard P. Frieder, Ser. No. 472,293, tiled July 15, 1965 for Boat Canopy, now Pat. No. 3,354,892.

It is known in the prior art that small boats vary in beam width from boat to boat. This is true even for socalled standard boats. For example, investigation has shown that the beam of a so-called 24-foot lifeboat (i.e., 24 feet long) may vary from 7.8 feet to 8.6 feet. While the variation from one -boat to another may not be large, it presents a serious problem of providing a standard fra-me which can be applied to all boats of a class. This problem is aggravated by the fact that boat manufacturers exercise a measure of discretion in the design of lifeboats so that some -boats have substantially parallel sides while others have a relatively broad beam and taper toward the ends.

I have invented an improved adjustable arch frame for supporting boat canopies which readily accommodates boats of different widths. My frame permits a standard size canopy to be applied to supports such as boats of different widths. It is simple to erect and it is relatively inexpensive to construct for the result achieved thereby.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved arch frame which may be readily adapted to boats of different widths without changing arch span.

Another object of my invention is to provide an adjustable arch fra-me for supporting boat canopies which is simple and inexpensive.

A further object of my invention is to provide an adjustable arch frame for supporting a boat canopy which 3,510,998 Patented May 12, 1970 ICC may be easily disassembled and compactly stored in the boat when not in use.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an arch frame which is adjustable and yet which permits a standard canopy to be used therewith.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of a frame for supporting a boat canopy in which a rigid arch of a given length has ends releasably clamped in sleeves which are pivotally adjustably mounted on a pair of stanchions, the lower ends of which are secured in sockets fastened to the gunwale of the boat.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to 4be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic front elevation of one embodiment of my new frame applied to a boat.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of one of the sleeve clamps of the form of my frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the clamp shown in FIG. 2, taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of an alternate form of my clamp which can be used on the frame illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the clamp shown in FIG. 4, taken along the line 5-5 of F-IG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of an alternate form of my clamp and frame.

FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the frame and clamp taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of a still further form of clamp which can be used on my frame.

FIG. 9 is an end elevation o-f the clamp shown in FIG. 8, taken along the line 9 9 of FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings, each of my arch frames includes respective clamps, each of which is indicated generally by the reference character 1t), for securing an arch 12 to a pair of stanchions 14, the lower ends of which can be secured in sockets 16 attached to the gunwale 22 of a boat 18, for example, by any suitable means, such as by bolts passing through anges 24 on the sockets and through the gunwale 22. While I may form the arch 12 and the stanchons 14 from any appropriate material, preferably I employ tubular metal.

Each of the clamps 10 includes a sleeve 26 having a generally cylindrical inner surface for adjustably receiving the arch 12. I provide each clamp with a slot 28 extending through the underside of each sleeve and with respective legs 32 outboard of the slot 28. The clamps 10 preferably are formed of a metal having sufficient resilience to permit the legs 32 to be drawn together to close slot 23 slightly to draw the sleeve 26 rmly around the arch 12.

A bolt 34 passing through suitable holes in the legs 32 and through openings in the wall of a stanchion 14 supports a clamp 10 on the stanchion for adjustment of the position of the clamp around the axis of the bolt. One end of each of the bolts receives a nut 36 which may be permanently secured to the corresponding leg 32 to prevent movement thereof in response to turning of the bolt. In order to facilitate turning of the bolt 34 to draw the legs 32 together to clamp the arch 12, I slidably insert a crank 38 in an opening in the head of the bolt remote from nut 36. In response to operation of the crank rod 38, the bolt may be turned to draw the legs 32 together securely to clamp the arch 12. It will readily be appreciated that some clearance exists between the inner surfaces of legs 32 and the wall of the stanchion 14 to permit the clamping operation to lbe performed.

It will be appreciated that if an arch 12 is to receive a canopy (not shown) properly, it is necessary that the arch be correctly positioned in a position in which its curvature is in a vertical plane. I provide the arch 12 with a number of locating pins 42 in the wall thereof. When the arch is in position, a number of these pins are disposed in the slot 28 to ensure that the arch is properly positioned. It is to be noted that the upper end of each stanchion 14 is provided with an inclined surface 46 which transmits force applied to the arch to a stanchion. Cut 44 permits folding for storage. Alternatively, surface 46 could be made continuous over the top of the stanchion and the latter could be folded in the opposite direction.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, in an alternate forrn of my frame I provide stanchions such as the stanchion 48 with resilient bifurcations 50 and 52 at the upper end thereof. A bolt 54 passing through suitable openings in the bifurcations S and 52 and in the arch 12 receives a nut 56. The head 58 carries a `crank lever or rod which permits the bolt to be tightened. It will readily be appreciated that when the bolt is tightened bifurcations 50 and 52 are drawn toward the arch 12. It is to be noted that the upper end of the stanchion 48 is formed with a shoulder 62 which limits the pivotal movement of the arch 12 to transmit force exerted on the arch by a wave or the like directly to the stanchion. A cut out portion 64 permits the frame to be folded when not in use.

As is pointed out in the copending application referred to hereinabove, adjustment of the width of the arch may be accomplished by employing an arch comprising, for example, a central portion which telescopes with two side portions. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7. I have shown a form of my clamp which facilitates this operation. A central tubular arch portion 66 receives side arch portions 68, one of which is shown in FIG. 6. Portion 66 has a diametrical cut or slot 70 which, together with a slot 72 forms a pair of clamping elements 74 and 76 on portion 66 which elements, as will be seen from the following description, may resiliently be moved into clamping engagement with the part of member 68 extending within member 66.

The clamp shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a sleeve 78 around the part of member 66 in which elements 74 and 76 are formed. I provide the sleeve 78 with a slot 80 which may be aligned with slot 72. I form sleeve 78 with tangential ears 72 and 84 for receiving a bolt 86 carrying a nut 88 and having a head 90 with a crank arm 92. I so form the sleeve 78 as to be thinner in a region 94 opposite slot 80. From the strocture just described it will be clear that when member 68 has been inserted in member 66 to a distance corresponding to the proper frame width, bolt 86 can be tightened to draw sleeve 78 tightly around elements 74 and 76 to bring these elements into clamping engagement with member 68.

. ably positions arch 12 in sleeve 112. If desired sleeve 112 can be provided with spaced threaded holes 116 for positioning the arch in the sleeve. From the structure just described, it will readily be appreciated that thumbscrew 109 can be loosened to permit relative pivotal movement of portions 104 and 110. Similarly screw 114 can be backed off to permit adjustment of the arch 12 within the sleeve 112. When the proper adjustments have been made for the boat on which the frame is to be erected, screws 109 and 114 are tightened.

In use of my adjustable frame to support a canopy on a boat, for example, the frame norm-ally is stowed in the boat with the stanchions 14 folded together with the arch 12. When the canopy is to be erected, the stanchions 14 are inserted in the sockets 16 wherein they may be secured in any suitable manner known to the art, such as by a bolt or setscrew or the like. When that has been done, the arch 12 is positioned in the clamps 10 so that it is generally symmetrical about the centerline of the boat. With the arch so positioned, bolts 34 are tightened securely to clamp the arch in position. It will be appreciated that a number of frames are disposed at predetermined locations along the length of the boat to support the canopy. As is described more fully in the patent to Leonard P. Frieder referred to hereinabove, there are associated with the frames a number of catenary cables and a canopy. As is pointed out in said patent, after the frames have been erected, the catenary cables are tightened.

My frame can readily be applied to a boat having a smaller beam by loosening the bolts 34 and sliding the clamps inwardly along the arch 12. In the course of this sliding movement it will be appreciated that some pivotal movement of the clamps takes place. When the clamps are properly positioned, bolts 34 can be tightened. Not only does my frame enable a standard size arch to be applied to boats of different beams but the same frame as that which is employed for the amidships frame can be used for the lbow and stern frames of a boat which narrows from the beam toward the bow and stern.

The operation of the forms of my frame and clamp illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 9 is analogous to that described in connection with the showing of FIGS. l through 3. Since the operation is Ibelieved to be clear from the description of those figures advanced hereinabove, it will not be outlined in detail.

While I have shown my improved adjustable frame for use in connection with a lifeboat or the like, it will readily be appreciated that it is applicable in any instance in which it is desirable to have a standard size frame accommodate supports of varying widths.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have provided an adjustable arch frame which can accommodate supports, such as boats of varying widths. My frame permits of the use of a standard size arch for boats of varying beams. It is relatively simple in construction and operation and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and maybe employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of my claim. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of my claim without departing from the spirit of my invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an assembly for supporting a canopy above the gunwale of a boat a framework including in combination a pair of stanchions, means mounting said stanchions respectively on the port and starboard sides of said boat at corresponding locations, therealong, said stanchions extending upwardly to a fixed distance above said gunwale, a crosspiece comprising curved telescoping sections, said crosspiece extending athwartship between said stanchions, means pivotally mounting the respective crosspiece sections on the ends of said stanchions for movement about a fore and aft axis while restraining said crosspiece sections against movement about an athwartship axis and means comprising a split collar on the end of the outer telescoped section for releasably clamping said sections in the relatively telescoped position in which said crosspiece extends across said boat between said stanchions, each of said stanchions 4comprising bifurcations at the top thereof for receiving one of said crosspiece sections and through said sections.

5 a clamping bolt extending through said bifurcations and 1,881,990 2,479,591 3,106,931 References Cited 3,354892 UNITED STATES PATENTS Zitzer 287-98 Shuttleworth 287-541 Cooper 135-6 Frieder 135-6 5 PRICE C. FAW, JR., Primary Examiner U.s. C1. XR. 

